Power lift means affording depth control and sequential raising and lowering of implements



Sept. 23, 19 2 w. F. STREHLOW ET AL 2,611,306

POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1948 UN QM m Sept. 23, 1952 w. F. STREHLOW ET AL 2,611,306

POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1, 1948 mommy Sept. 23, 1952 w. F. STREHLOW ET AL 2,611,306

POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 1, 1948 Wham Sept. 23, 1952 w. F. STREHLOW ET AL 2,611,306

POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENT-S 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 1, 1948 w Wm M. m a WM 910 "7. 17. Johan vow ABM p 2 w. F. STREHLOW ET AL 2,611,306

POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 1, 1948 mph/M Sept. 23, 1952 F. STREHLOW ET AL 2 611,306

9 POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING OF IMPLEMENTS 6 Sheets$heet 6 Filed June 1, 1948 Patented Sept. 23, 1952 UNITED STATE POWER LIFT MEANS AFFORDING DEPTH CONTROL AND SEQUENTIAL RAISING AND LOWERING 0F IMPLEMENTS Walter F. Strehlow and Charles T. OHarrow, Wauwatosa, and Roy W. Johansen, West Allis, Wis, assignors to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Applicationiunc 1, 1948, Serial No. 30,348

29 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus suitable for use in controllably positioning agricultural implements and other devices and is more especially concerned with the provision of a power lift means for tractor propelled implements and/or the provision of apparatus affording particular advantages in connection with the control of the above mentioned and other means combinable with such apparatus.

In the operation of tractor propelled soil working implements, it is often desirable, depending on the nature of the work being performed, to either automatically control the depth of soil penetration or to effect a successive raising and lowering of certain implements, for example, front and rear mounted cultivators. Usually when operating with automatic depth control, if more than one implement is employed, the implements are simultaneously raised and are simultaneously lowered, as required. However, in the cultivation of row crops, rear mounted implements are commonly employed in addition to the usual front mounted implements. Consequently, in the performance of cultivating operations needless work is eliminated if the front and rear mounted implements can be readily controlled to successively raise upon reaching the end of a crop row and to lower successively upon beginning a new row. And while it has heretofore been common to employ apparatus for affording automatic de th control or for affording a sequential raising and lowering of front and rear mounted implements, no prior apparatus is known for readily selectively obtaining either mode of operation, as desired.

Therefore, one of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved implement power lift and control means incorporating features of construction and combination for readily selectively obtaining a sequential raising and lowering of separate implements, or a simultaneous raising and lowering of such implements, or an automatic depth control for soil working implements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved implement power lift and control means wherein a change over from automatic depth control to a control for effecting either a sequential or simultaneous raising and lowering of separate implements can only be accomplished when the lift control means is in its implement lowering position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus incorporating parts constructed and combined for coaction and adjustment in an improved manner rendering the movement of a single control lever effective to afford a sequential movement of separate devices controllably connected therewith, or a simultaneous movement of such devices, or automatic depth control of soil working implements, as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus suitable for controllably positioning agricultural implements and other devices and wherein parts are constructed and combined for coaction in an improved manner affording a sequential movement of separate devices and affording means for readily adjusting the maximum rate of movement and/or the delay interval interposed between successive movements of such devices.

A. further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus including parts constructed and combined for ready coaction and adjustment suitable for affording either a sequential or a simultaneous movement of separate devices controllably connected therewith.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a control apparatus incorporating improved features of particular advantage as to the construction, operation and adjustment of parts, and as to the readiness with which devices can be connected or controllably combined therewith.

An additional obiect of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for use with agricultural implements and other devices and wherein parts are constructed and combined for coaction in an improved manner all to the end of affording a simplified, readily adjustable apparatus suitable for selectively performing certain operations, including automatic depth regulation of an agricultural implement, with minimum reauirements as to time, effort and skill.

The construction and operation of apparatus for accomnlishing one or more of the above stated objects will become readily apparent as the disclosure progresses and particularly points out those features, advantages and additional objects afforded by an illustrative apparatus.

And accordingly, the present invention maybeconsidered as comprising the various features of construction and/or combination hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the appended claims and in connection with the detailed description of a typical apparatus illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tractor attached implement combination embodying the invention with the left rear wheel removed to more clearly show the construction involved;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the manner of attaching the control unit to the tractor housing as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line VIII- VIII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a section taken along line IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of part of a valve housing and associated control parts shown in Fig. 8, the control parts in Fig. 10 having been moved to an implement lowering position;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line XIXI of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view takenalong line XII-XII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a schematic illustration of the control system with some parts shown in section to afford a better understanding of its operation;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing the relation of the main valve to the passages controlled thereby when the valve is in its implement lowering position;

Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. 14 showing the valve positioned to hold the implements in a raised or partially raised position with all pumps discharging liquid to the return passage means; and

Figs. 16 to 19 are schematic showings of the control system illustrating the function of the hold-positioning valve, Fig. 17 illustrating the system wherein both rams are connected in downstream relation to the hold-positioning valve and Figs. 16, 18 and 19 illustrating the system with a ram connected on either side of the valve.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the apparatus chosen to illustrate the present invention comprises generally a tractor I having a pair of rear driving wheels 2 and front dirigible wheels 3 supporting a frame 4, and an implement including a pair of front mounted bedders 6 and a rear mounted bedder I carried by frame 4.

Mounted forward of and below the rear axle housing 8 is a drawbar support It adapted for connecting implements to the tractor in draft transmitting relation therewith. Drawbar support I I! comprises a pair of laterally spaced plate members I I fixed in depending relation to the under portion of the tractor, as by welding, a bifurcatedlever I2 integrally formed with a bearing means I3 adapted for positioning same between plate members II, and a rod I5 extending through aligned openings in the lower portions of plate members I I and through bearing portion I3 of lever I2, thereby supporting the lever for swinging movement about rod I5 (see Fig. 2). Lower opposed portions of lever I2 are provided with aligned transverse openings therethrough affording bearing means I6 supporting a pivot pin I! which in turn rotatably supports a separate bearing means I8 at each end thereof, bearing means I8 supporting triangular plate members 20 which are fixed thereto and which are provided with pairs of oppositely extending aligned pins I4 and I9 affording pivotal supports for the rear and front ends of pairs of draft bars 2| and 22 extending fore and aft therefrom, re-

spectively (note Fig. 2). The upper portion of lever I2 hereinafter called the draft regulating lever, has a spring biasing means acting on it to oppose the draft force applied to the lower end of the regulating lever through triangular plate members 20. This biasing means includes a. spring seat 23 rigidly fixed between the upper forward portions of plate members II in transverse relation therewith, a compression spring 25 positioned on the seat, and a plate member 26 fixed to the opposite end of the spring for engagement with forwardly projecting portions 2'! of the regulating lever. Thus it will be seen that draft force applied to the lower end of regulating lever I2 is opposed by the compressive force of spring 25 acting on the upper end of the lever.

Mounted forward of the operators station 28 in overlying relation to tractor frame 4 is a transverse lift shaft 30 rotatably supported by strap member 3| fixed to either side of the tractor frame. And while it is apparent that only those parts of the lift mechanism and implement disposed on the left side of the tractor may be seen in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that, when specified, like parts are similarly located on the far side of the tractor. Rigidly fixed to either end of lift shaft 30 in depending relation thereto are lift arms 32, the near lift arm having pivotal connection with the end of piston rod 33 of a ram unit 34 mounted on the left side of tractor frame 4 for vertical swinging movement about a pin 33 carried by a strap member 3'! fixed to the side of the frame. A second ram unit 38 is similarly located on the far side of the tractor and will be referred to later on in the description. And in this connection it is to be understood that the ram units may be connected with front and rear mounted implements as shown, or both ram units may be positioned to extend forwardly or rearwardly, as desired, relative to supporting strap members 31.

Pivotally mounted near either end of lift shaft 30 are forwardly extending links 40 each having pivotal connection with the upper end of a tool bar standard 4|. These laterally spaced standards carry a tool bar 42 positioned transversely beneath the front of the tractor, to which a pair of bedders 43 are attached by means of clamps 45. At the lower end portion of each standard 4| is rigidly fixed a bracket 46 having pivotal connection with the forward ends of the pair of draft bars 2|. The forwardly extending links 40 of the lift mechanism each include a rigidly attached depending arm 48 adapted for edge abutting engagement with lift arm 32, and a brace member 50 rigidy unites a lower portion of depending arm 48 with a forward part of link 40. Thus when ram unit 34 is actuated to extend piston rod 33, lift arms 32 contact arms 48 and swing the forwardly extending links 40, tool bar standards 4| and parts supported thereby in an upward direction. And for supplying fluid to the ram units there is pro vided a hydraulic pump 5| deriving power from tractor engine 52 in a manner hereinafter more fully disclosed, and a pair of conduits 53 and 55 connecting pump 5I with ram units 34 and 38, respectively.

The rear axle housing 8 of tractor I is provided with a pair of laterally spaced plate members 51 mounted on and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a lift shaft 58 is rotatably supported in bearing means (not shown) carried by these plate members. Each end of shaft 58 mounts a bell crank lever which is secured thereto, for turning movement therewith, these levers each comprising a depending arm as on which the arm on the far side of the tractor is pivotally connected with a rearwardly extending ram unit, in this case the piston rod SI of ram unit 38, and a rearwardly extending arm 63 having pivotal connection with the upper end of a tool bar standard 62. (The near bell crank lever and tool bar standard have been removed to more clearly show the ram connection.) Tool bar standards 62 have axially aligned trnsverse openings therethrough supportingly receiving a transverse tool bar 66 to which bedder 7 is attached by a clamp 67 or other suitable means. And the rear ends of the pair of draft bars 22 are pivotally secured to opposed inner lower portions of the standards 62. In this connection it will be noted that draftbars 22 for the rear bedder are connected with triangular plate members 28 at a point (pins I9) which, in the position of the parts as shown in Fig. 1, is vertically spaced from the pivot pin H a distance twice aslarge as the vertical distance between the pivot pin I? and a horizontal plane through the point of connection (pins I l) for front bedder draft bars 2!. Therefore, assuming the draft on all bedders is generally equal and proportional to the number of bedders employed, the resulting force on draft regulating lever I2 will be the same for a single rear bedder as it will be for the front two bedders since the effective lever arm for the single rear bedder is twice the effective length of the lever arm for the two front bedders.

At this point it might be noted that draft regulating lever I2 is connected with hydraulic pump 5| through a link 7!! having a pivotal connection with the upper end portion of lever I2 and a lost motion (pin and slot) connection with an arm II extending from the pump housing. Thus it is apparent that draft bars 2| and 22 are operatively connected with a central arm associated with the pump housing and it will be seen further along in the disclosure how this connection controls the action of the hydraulic unit.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be seen that the hydraulic pump unit 5! is attached to a hollow lubricant confining portion of the tractor drive shaft housing Z2. A side wall of the drive shaft housing is provided with an opening therethrough which exposes cam portions I5 on the tractor drive shaft I8, and hydraulic pump and control unit 5| comprising a housing 72 is detachably secured to the side of drive shaft housing IT, as by bolts I8, in covering relation with respect to the opening I3 therethrough. The side of housing I1 opposing opening 13 in drive shaft housing I2 is provided with marginal surfaces 89 for sealingly engaging the side wall surfaces of drive shaft housing I2 which ound opening l3.

Referring also to Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, it will be apparent that the side of pump housing I? enclosing opening 73 in hollow structure i2 is provided with four inwardly extending parallel cylindrical chambers BI, 82. 83 and 84. chambers 8! to 83 being of equal diameter and chamber 84 having a materially reduced diameter. A compression spring 86 (see Fig. 5) is positioned within each chamber at the inner end thereof and each chamber includes a pump plunger 87 having a reduced inner end portion 88 disposed in guiding relation within the associated compression spring 86. The opening enclosing side of housing TI is also provided with outwardly extending projections 99 having aligned holes 9| therethrough receiving and fixedly-mounting a shaft or rod part 92 disposed at a right angle with respect to the axes of pump plungers 81 and generally parallel to a plane therethrough. And a plurality of cam followers 93, one for each pump, are pivotally supported on shaft part 92 for swinging movement relative thereto and relative to each other, the lower end portions of these followers 93 being disposed between the outer ends ofpump plungers 81 and the opposed cam portions F5 on shaft I6 thereby establishing an operative connection between power driven shaft 76 and pump unit 5|. (see Fig. 3). v 7

Pump housing I! is provided with an intake manifold passage 95 severally communicating with pump chambers 8| to through intake passages 9.6 and communicating with thelubricant in hollow structure I2 through a main intake passage 9'! terminating in the opening enclosing side of housing 11 below the pump plungers therein, passage 91 beingprovided with a conduit extension 98 (see Fig. 5) whiclfprojects outward therefrom through the opening 73 and downward into the fluid confined in hollow casing I2. Housing 71 is also provided with a cylindrical valve chamber I09 which extends therethrough in spaced overlying relation with respect to pump cylinders 8| to 84 and in parallel right angle relation thereto. A plurality of passages lfll, one for each pump, severally connect the inner or discharge ends of the pump cylinders with longitudinally spaced portions of cylindrical valve chamber Hill. In addition, housing 11 includes a horizontal bore I02 which is disposed above valve chamber I 00 in generally parallel relation thereto and which is connected therewith through a group of passages I03 correspondin in number to pump discharge passages fill. And in this connection it should be noted that passages we communicate with the valve chamber in diametrically opposed relation to passages I Ell. Each passage I03 is provided with a spring biased ballcheck valve I controlling the flow of fluid therethrough and into bore I92. This bore, which may be considered a manifold space, communicates at its right hand end (note Fig. 4) with an outlet passage I06 for working fluid which terminates inside a valve body l0! secured to the top side of pump housing H by bolts I98, or the like, and which affords further control of the flow of liquid to and from one or more pressure actuated devices in a manner to be later described. Communication between outlet passage Itt and manifold space I92 is controlled by a spring biased ball check valve I is preventing a back flow of fluid from passage IDS into the manifold space. In addition it should be noted that this discharge fluid passage I06 has a branch por tion I II on the discharge side of check valve I ll] placing same in communication with the right hand end of cylindrical valve chamber I 00.

Housing TI is also provided with a main fluid return passage means comprising a horizontal bore I I2 opening through the side surface of the housing closing the opening in hollow casing 72 at a point somewhat below and to one side of intake conduit 91 (Figs. 6 and 8). And the inner end of return passage bore H2 communicates with a bore I l 3 which is disposed at a right angle thereto (Fig. 6) and which extends nearly through the pump housing in generally parallel relation to and below valve chamber Hi9. This bore I23 is also disposed somewhat below pump chambers 8! to 84 and a plurality of passages I I5 corresponding in number to pump discharge passages IOI place bore H3 in communication with longitudinally spaced portions of cylindrical valve chamber I00, these passages II5 being disposed adjacent the pump cylinder chambers and the passages IOI severally connecting the discharge side of the pumps with longitudinally spaced portions of cylindrical valve chamber I00, as previously described. Another passage II6 places main return passage bore I I3 in communication with a right end portion of valve chamber I in longitudinally ofiset diametrically opposed relation with respect to the branch portion Ii I of outlet passage I06.

In addition, housing 11 is provided with a cylindrical unloading chamber I I1 extending therethrough in laterally spaced parallel relation with respect to cylindrical valve chamber I00 and on a horizontal level therewith. The left hand end of manifold bore I02 communicates with the adjacent end of unloading chamber II1 by means of a passage [I8 (Fig. 8) and an intermediate portion of this unloading chamber communicates with a horizontal discharge passage I20 (Figs. and '1) opening through the side surface of the pump housing above the pump chambers therein.

The left end portion I2I of unloading chamber H1 is somewhat enlarged to provide an internal shoulder I22 against which is positioned a disk type spring seat I23 having an opening I25 therethrough. The opposite or left hand end of chamber portion I2I is closed by a cylindrical plug element I26 having an inner end portion I21 of reduced diameter projecting axially toward spring seat I23 in spaced relation with respect to the surbore I30 to the discharge side thereof to provide,

a seat for a ball valve I32 and to receive cylindrical valve element I33. A cylindrical spring seat element I35 slidably surrounds the reduced end portion I21 of plug member I26 and is provided at its open end with a peripheral flange I30 slidably engaging the internal surface of unloading chamber portion I2 I, this flange also affording a seat for a compression spring I51 disposed between same and disk seat I23. The inner end of element I35 is provided with an internal recess forming a cylindrical seat I38 receiving the inner end of cylindrical valve element I33 which, through the action of spring I31, acts to hold this valve element and ball valve I32 positioned as shown in Fig. 7, that is, with the ball valve firmly engaged with its seat thereby preventing a flow of fluid therepast from manifold I02. And when thus positioned, it will be noted that the flanged end of spring seat element I35 is spaced from the opposed inwardly facing shoulder presented by plug member I26. The reduced portion I21 of plug member I26 is provided with a transverse bore I40 therethrough and is further reduced from its junction with the main portion of the plug member I26 inward to a point beyond transverse bore I40 so as to provide an annular relief passage I4I which communicates with the spring housing portion of chamber II1 through one or more axial slots I42 in the peripheral edge portion of flange I36. Cylindrical valve element I33 is also provided with an axial bore I43 extending from the ball valve end thereof approximately to its midpoint where it communicates with a circumferential groove I45 adapted to place the space between the end of valve element I33 and the seat for ball valve I32 in communication with the transverse bore I40 in plug member portion I21, thus providing a relief passage means for the space surrounding ball valve I32 when seated as shown in Fig. '1. Also, the inner end portion of cylindrical spring seat element I35 is provided with transverse bore I46 therethrough for relief of any liquid accumulating between same and the inner end of plug member reduced portion I21.

The left hand end of unloading chamber H1 and of cylindrical valve chamber I00 are closed by a cover plate I41 secured in end abutting relation to housing 11 by means of cap screws I48 or the like. The right hand end of unloading chamber I I1 mounts a cylindrical spring seat I50 and is closed, as is also the corresponding end of valve chamber I00, by means of a cover plate I5I fixedly secured thereto by one or more cap screws I52. A pressure responsive piston I53 is mounted in unloading chamber H1 in down stream relation with respect to spring seat disk I23 and is detachably connected with a movement transmitting rod I55 which extends coaxially through cylindrical spring seat I50 and through an aligned and somewhat enlarged opening I56 in cover plate I5I. The outer or exposed end of control rod I55 is fixedly connected with and carries stub shaft I51 which projects at a right angle therefrom in the direction of valve chamber I00 and in generally parallel relation to cover plate I51. A compression spring I58 is interposed between seat I50 and the opposed end of piston I53 in surrounding relation to piston rod I55, this spring acting to move the piston toward the left as viewed in Fig. '1 in closed relation with respect to fluid return passage I20. It will be noted that the right hand end of unloading chamber H1 is provided with another fluid return passage I60 (Fig. 7) opening through the side face of the housing enclosing opening 13, this additional passage functioning to return any liquid which may become trapped between piston I53 and cylindrical spring seat i50.

Referring again to Fig. 4 it will be seen that a cylindrical liner comprising axially separable sections I6I to I is disposed in cylindrical valve chamber I00 with innermost section I65, that is, the section adjacent the right hand end of chamber I00, abutting cover plate I5I. The opposite end section I6I, that is, the section at the left hand end of chamber I00 is held in position by end abutting engagement with cover plate I41. Cylindrical sections I6I to I65 are provided with circumferential external grooves I61 placing pump discharge passages MI in communication with the check valve controlled passages I03. In addition each section is provided with transverse bores I68 (see also Fig. '1) placing the interior thereof in communication with the diametrically opposed pairs of passages IM and I03. Furthermore the end abutting portions of cylindrical sections I6I to I65 have parts thereof cut away and shaped to afford circumferential external grooves I 10, rectangular in cross section, each of which communicates with the interior of the chamber formed by these sections through diametrically opposed transverse passages Hi. The rectangular external passages I10 formed between end portions of cylindrical liner sections gamma IBI through I65 communicate with passages Il placingsame in communication with the main outlet passage III and with a transverse bore I75 placing diametrically opposed portions of this groove in communication with the interior of section I65, whereas groove I'I2 communicates with a passage IIB which in turn communicates with the right hand end of main fluid return passage I13. Groove I12 also communicates with the interior of liner section I65 through diametri cally opposed transverse bores HE.

A cylindrical control valve IT! is positioned in the generally cylindrical chamber formed by the end abutting liner sections IGI .to 165 "and preferably this valve is formed by "a series of separable cylindrical elements, I18 to IIlI, inclusive, disposed in end abutting relation; the end abutting portions or these cylindrical valve elements being reduced to form annular spaces between same and the surrounding internal sinfaces of the liner sections. In this'connection it should be noted that the right hand or innermost valve element I8I comprises an intermediate reduced portion I83 uniting enlargedicylindrical portions I85 and I85 which in turn terminate in reduced oppositely projecting end portions, the

inner one of which abuts the reduced portion on adjacent element I80 and the other of'which projects through a coaxial opening I81 in'cover plate IEI. The valve elements are held in end abutting relation for movement as a unit by means of a compression spring I 00 seated on valve 7 element I78 in surrounding relation to the reduced outer end portion thereof with its opposite end abutting the inner surface ofjcover plate I41.

Movement of the valve element to the left as viewed in Fig. 4 may be adjustably limited through the medium of aninwa'rdly projecting part I90 carried by cover member I41, this part having an internally threaded bore I9I extending therethrough in which is adjustably mountd a screw threaded element I92 having are'dueed end portion I93 disposed in c'oaxialabuttin'g relation with respect to a similar projection on'tne ad jacent valve element T18. The outer exposed end of element I92 is provided with -a knurled adjusting knob I95. v M

Referring more'particmany to Figsi"? and 8 it will be noted that the shaft I51 carried by control rod I55 operatively mounts a sleeve having an enlarged portion I91 positioned'in opposed engaged relation with respect to thereduced-end portion of the innermost valve element I8I which extends through cover plate I5I. Shaft "I5"! is also operatively connected with the upper end of a lever I98, this lever 'b'eing'fixedly secured to sleeve 200 and having an intermediate portion thereof pivotally connected at 204 with a link H which in turn is pivotally connected with an arm 202 fixed to an inner end portion of a shaft 203 rotatably supporte in a bearing structure 205 carried by control linkage housing 206. This housing is de'tachably secured in abutting sealed relation against cover plate ISI bymeans of suitable cap screws '20! or the like. And in this connection it should "be noted that cover plate I5! is provided with .a suitable opening 208 (note Fig. 4) which is aligned with and-places main return passage bore II3 communication with the interior of the linkage housing. Consequently housing 206 contains oil at a'level -conforming with that in drive shaft housing I2. The outer end of shaft 203 has'a lever arm 2I0 fixed thereto which in turn'is'connected through a link 2 (see Fig. 1) with a suitable manually actuatable control lever 2 I2 carried by the tractor steering column 2I3 and associated witha quadrant 2I5. The bottom portion of housing 206 contains levers operatively connecting the lower end of lever I98 with the draft regulating link It (shown in Figs. 1 and 8). For example, a shaft :2I6 is rotatably supported in a bearing 2|! mountedin the lower portion of housing'206 and has an arm 2H3 fixed to its outer portion. affording connection with. draft regulating link in through means of a pin 220 carried by the end of arm -2I 8 which slidably engages a slot 22I in the adjacent end of the draft regulating link 70. 218 also carries a lookout screw 222 engageable with an internally threaded bore 223 in the lower portion of housing 206, thereby an fording means for securingar'm 2I8 to theside of housing 206 thus rendering shaft 2 I6 immov; able. Consequently,regulating link I0 is remdered inefiective to control the position of shaft 2'I6 and may move relative to pin .220 in response to variations in draft forc'e; For readily effect ing this locked out relation'he'tween arm ;2I8 and regulating link 10 screw 222 .is provided with a knurled knob 225 and aspring-226 is positioned between the knob and arm '2I8' to maintain the screw in any selected position virrespectiveof vibration; V

The "innernart-of shaft '2 I6 has fixed thereto an arm 268,,having a pin 26.! projectingtranse versely with respect to the end of the arm. Another shaft is rotatably mounted in a bearing mean carried by housing 206 and fixedly suppor-ts on its inner portion a .cam lever zmhaving a curvededge thereof adapted for engagement by pinZfiTon arm 2.68. The lower portion of cam lever 210 includes a pin and slot connection with the lower portion of lever I98. It should be noted at this point thatmanual c'on-' trol lever 2I2 may be moved so 'as to shift the fulcrum for lever I98, that is the fulcrum 204' afforded by the connection of link 20I to an in termediate portion of 'ie'ver I98, and thereby moves the top of leverilfirelati ve to cover plate I51. -Also, movement of draft regulating" link I0, transmitted through the levers carried by the lower port-ion of housing 205, causes a swinging movement of lever I98'about the fu'lcrumpoint 201i, More specifically, "spring I58 in unloading chamber Illis relatively strong as compared with the spring I88 .(Flig. d) acting on control valve IT! and consequently pistonI53, control rod I55 and valve I tend'to assume the-post tions shown in Figs. *1 and s. Therefore; the above mentionedposition of valve ITI; control rod {I55 and piston I53 may be changed either (1) by moving manual control lever 2-I2 to efiect a shifting .of fulcrum 204 in a direction away from cover plate" I51 and-thee pivot lever i198 about'its' lower end, or (-2 )1 by a movement of draft regulating link is away sroii-rpum housing 206 causing pin 26 to engagecam lever 210 and thus swing Tleve'r 'Iilil in a clockwise c lirection {as viewed in Fig. 28) about its fulcrum 204; Either of these actionsumoves' rod I55 and piston I 53 toward the right as viewed in '8 which in turn compresses spring I158. As a result of such movement, 'spring'188 urges control valve Iii-to ward the right (note Fig. .7) and acts to maintain the reduced right hand end or this'valve' in gement with :roller .19]. Movement-of 11 I the valve in the direction just described, that is toward the right, is limited by engagement of the enlarged portion I85 (Fig. 4) of valve element I8I with cover plate I5I.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the valve body I01 includes a passage 224 forming a continuation of outlet passage I06 in housing 11 as previously mentioned, passage 224 merging with a passage 221 which extends at a right angle thereto and longitudinally through the valve body. The opposite or left end of passage 221 is closed by a cylindrical plug element 228. And the portion of this passage merging with passage 224 is of reduced diameter to provide an internal shoulder 230 against which is positioned a cylindrical seat 229 having an opening 23I therethrough controlled by a ball valve element 232. A spring 233 is positioned between ball element 232 and the inner face of plug element 228 for urging ball 232 against its seat, plug 228 preferably including a reduced inner end portion 235 extending within and acting as a guide for spring 233. Furthermore, plug 228 is in screw threaded engagement with the outer or left end portion of the bore or passage 221 and may be provided with a knurled knob 231 affording ready axial adjustment thereof. Consequently the compressive force of the spring 233 acting on ball valve 232 may be varied from substantially zero to the maximum afforded by the spring, as desired. And looking at Figs. 8 and 9 it will be noted that valve body I01 also includes a transverse bore 238 communicating with the passage 224 this being located at the right or upstream side of valve 232, and two additional transverse passages 240 and 24I communicating with passage 221 on the left or downstream side of ball check valve 232. These three transverse passages all project outwardly through valve body I01 and passages 238 and MI are provided with suitable connectors 234 and 239 for coupling ram hose 53 and 55 or the like thereto (passage 240 having a plug therein). Thus it will be obvious that ball valve 232 controls the flow of liquid to and from ram outlet passages 240 and I, but not ram outlet passage 238. And it will also be obvious that through adjustment of element 228 valve 232 may be made to open under varying pressures as previously mentioned.

Although spring biased valve 232 controls the flow of liquid to passages 240 and 24I, an additional means is afforded to unseat the ball element and allow the return of fluid from these passages to the reservoir through passages 224, I06, III, groove I13, transverse bores I15, valve chamber I00, and return passage I I6. To accomplish such regulation, valve body I01 is provided with a reduced bore 242 which is coaxial with passage 221 and the opening 23I in valve seat 229, this reduced bore merging with the upper end of passage 224 and with a right angle bore 243 which extends transversely through valve body I01. A ball valve unseating stem 244 is slidably mounted in bore 242 and is provided with a reduced end portion 245 adapted to be moved through the opening 23I in valve seat 229, the opposite end of this stem being seated in an opposed groove afforded by a reduced cam portion 246 of a transverse cylindrical shaft 241 rotatably mounted in bore 243 (note Figs. 4 and 9). Shaft 241 carries on its outer end (that is, the top end as viewed in Fig. 9) an inner arm 248 fixed thereto for movement therewith. An outer arm 250 is mounted adjacent arm 248 on a bearing forming hub portion 249 thereof for rotation relative thereto and is operably connected with arm 2I0 (note Fig. 8) carried by pump control linkage housing 206 through a rod 25I or the like. An internally threaded part 252 is carried by inner arm 248' in radially spaced relation to the hub portion 249 thereof, this part projecting inwardly from arm 248 in generally parallel relation with cylindrical shaft 241 and being provided with a lookout screw 253 adjustable axially thereof. Outer arm 250 is provided with a hole 255 therethrough adapted for alignment with lockout screw 253 to receive the adjacent end portion of same thereby locking arms 248 and 250 together for simultaneous movement.

Referring particularly to Fig. 9 it will be seen that the near end portion of valve body I01 is provided with a lug 256 projecting rearwardly therefrom in spaced opposed parallel relation to arms 248 and 250, this lug having a hole 251 therethrough adapted for alignment with lockout screw 253. In this connection it should be noted that lockout screw 253 has a knurled knob 258 and includes a reduced end portion 260 extending toward lug 256, this reduced portion being adapted for insertion in hole 251 when positioned opposite same. .A safety feature is provided in this respect in that lockout screw 253 is somewhat longer than the distance between outer arm 250 and lug 256 and therefore in order to back screw 253 out of the hole 255 thereby freeing cuter arm 250 it is necessary that hole 251 in lug 256 be aligned with the reduced end portion 260 of screw 253. And, since this last mentioned alignment of parts is only possible when the manual control lever 2 I2 has been moved to its full lowering position (D on Fig. 12 wherein all pumps are discharging back-to the reservoir, the ram relief passage III is in communication with return passage H6 and the shaft 246 has actuated stem 244 to unseat ball valve 232 thereby draining the liquid from the ram units controlled thereby), there is no danger of an operator being injured by the sudden dropping of an implement.

Referring to Fig. 11 it will be noticed that valve body I01 has a transverse bore 262 which is disposed in adjacent forward relation with respect to cylindrical shaft 241 and which includes a ball 263 and a compression spring 264 seated within bore 262 for urging ball 263 against inner arm 248. Arm 248 includes an oblong recessed portion or detent 266 adapted for alignment with ball 263 to afford a position indicating means whereby the operator in moving control lever 2I2 downwardly can detect the movement of ball 263 into detent 266 and thereby know through the force reaction to a further movement of lever 2I2 that the control valve I11 is in the lowering position (shown in Figs. 14, 16 and 17) with ram outlet passage I06 communicating with return passage H6 and that ball check 232 is still seated to prevent the draining of liquid from the rams on the downstream side thereof. A further downward movement of control lever 2 I2 will then cause ball check 232 to be unseated thereby permitting a return flow of liquid therepast to lower the implements actuated by the downstream ram units.

When operating with the parts positioned to obtain maximum lifting effect, that is, assuming hand lever has been shifted to its full lift position shown in Figs. 1 and 12 to thereby quickly raise the implements and that the linkages and valve parts are positioned as shown in Figs. 4, 8, and 9, it will be noted that the enlarged cylinl3 drical portions of the valve elements I18 to I8I, inclusive, close transverse bores I58 and that, therefore, the pumps are severally connected with manifold space I 02 through passages IllI, external grooves I61, and through check valve controlled passages I33. The liquid entering manifold space I02, assuming the liquid has been drained from all ram units, flows therefrom through check valve controlled passage I06 and into valve chamber 224 from which it flows through conduit 53 to ram unit 34, the liquid quickly attaining a pressure sufficient to rapidly expand ram unit 34 and thereby fully raise the front mounted implement. In this connection, it should be understoodthat spring 233 hasbeen sufiiciently preloaded by turning adjusting. screw 231 to retain valve 232 closed until ram unit 3 3 has completed its expansion stroke. As the pressure of the liquid continues to increase, valve 232 opens which admits pressure liquid into valve chamber space 221 from which it flows through passage 2M and conduit 55 to the ram unit 33,

the latter rapidly expanding, thereby quickly raising the rear mounted implement to its fully lifted position. When this occurs the pressure of the liquid continues to increase until a pressure is attained which is sufiicient to unseat pressure relief ball valve I32 whereupon the check valve assembly comprising ball valve I32 and cylindrical. valve element I33 moves toward the right, compressing spring I31 until valve element I33 opens transverse pressure relief bore I43. As a result, pressure liquid flows into annular space MI, then through the axial passages I42 in the periphery of flange portion I35 of spring seat element I35, then into the spring housing chamber from which it flows through the opening I25 in disk spring seat I23, and then into the space between this seat and the head of piston I53. This pressure liquid. then acts on piston I53 and moves same toward the right thereby opening relief passage I20, which is in communication with the source of oil in hollow structure 12 and in linkage housing 203. This movement of piston I53 results in a movement of control rod I55 toward the right sufiicient to bring the lower end of lever I38 into engagement with the side of cover plate I5I which engagement limits the movement of the piston I53 and control rod I55 in this direction. As a result spring I53 causes control valve I11 to move to the right in following engaged relation to sleeve part I91 and to theposition indicated in Fig. 13. In this, the pumpfunloading position, the enlargediportions of'valveelements I18--I8I,. in elusive, place transverse bores, I1I in the asso ciated liners in communication with return passages II5 thereby severally connecting the discharge. sides of. pumps 8|, 82. and 83 in communication with the main returnpas'sage II3. However; it should be noted that the enlarged portions I84 and I85 01 valve element I8I remain inclose'd' relation with respect to transverse bores I 68 and I 15-, respectively, and therefore pump as continues to deliver liquidthrou'gh circumferential groove I31 into manifold space I32 through the associated check valve controlled passage I03.

It should be noted that the end area of cylindrical relief" valve element I33 is considerably greater than the area of the passage controlled by ball valve I32-and that consequently it requires a'relatively high pressure to effect an initial opening movement of these two valve parts; However,- onc'e- -an opening relation is by cylindrical reliefflvalve' element" its operates to maintain the relief passage means open under a. considerably reduced pressure head. Therefore, in the position just described, that is, the

unloading position of main control valve I11, the three plungers in chambers BI, 82 and 83 are delivering liquid to the return passage means H3 whereas only one plunger, the one in chamber 84, is delivering liquid tomanifoldspace I82 and this liquid, assuming there is no appreciable leakage from the ram circuit, returns to the source through the relief passage mean com-- p'rising passage I I8, bores I 33 and I3I in" plug element I25, relief valve elements I32 and I33, transverse bore I40 in plug element reduced por; tion I21, passages MI and I42; the opening I25 through disk spring seat I23, passage I25. In this connection it may be. well'tq note at this time that although the enlarged cylindrical new controlling portions of valve I IT-are of substan-=- tially equal axial length, the reduced portions are of diiTerent axial lengths and in addition the axial spacing of the circumferential grooves I51, I10, I12 and I13 and of the transverse boresor passages I58, I11, I15, and I16 connected therewith vary somewhat as to their axial spacing so as to afiord the above mentioned regulation in response to an unloading mevementof the con trol valve. 7

Inthe absence of excessive leakage, more par ticularly leakage through the flexible hoses and the connections between such hoses and the ram cylinders and valve vody I01 main control valve I11 will remain in its unloading position until the fulcrum 204 of lever I98 is shifted byactua tion of manual control lever-2I2. However, if

for any reason the pressure in manifold space I 52 should decrease below that necessary to hold ball valve I32 and cylindrical relief valve element I33 in their passage opening positions (note Fig. 13) these valve elements will close the relief passage means I I8 and as the liquid drains from the space ahead of piston I53, spring I 53 will 'movepiston I53 and control rod I55 to the-left thus: repositioning the main valve I 'I 1 to connect all. pumps to manifold space I 02, thisinitial position of .maincontrol valve 11 being determined, as previously indicated-by the'po'sit'io'n of manual control lever 2I2. In this connection,v it should be noted that the relief valve m'eans (elements. I32 and I33) will open whenever the pressurein manifold. space I02 attains 'a; predetermined.

high value and that such openingimovement will result in themain valve I11 moving; to its unloading position unless the positionofhand' lever 2I2 is such that only the plunger in chamber 3:3 is delivering liquid to manifold space I02;

Referring again to Figs. 7,- 8, 9 and 11, it will be noted that the parts 243 and. 250 carried by cam shaft 241 of the hold-position valve: structure are locked together for" simultaneous move-= ment in response to movements of hand lever 2 I 2. In addition, it should be noted that theshaft 2 It in linkage housin 206 is locked against movement by engagement of screw 222 carried by arm 2I8 with the internally threadedv bore 223 a'dja cent the lower end of thi housing. Consequently,. all that has to be done in the event it is desired to successively lower the implementsis to first shift hand lever 2 I2 toany selected position within its lowering range B-'--- which in turn shifts the fulcrum 254 of lever I33 away from cover plate I5I a distance suificient" to permit spring I38- to more main control valve Ifi'to the waste;

1 15 right until the discharge sides of all pumps and the ram relief passage means III are in communication with return passages H and I I6, respectively, these return passages being in continuous communication with the main return passage H3. When the main valve is thus positioned, assuming lever 2I2 is closely adjacent point C on quadrant 2I5, liquid rapidly drains from ram unit 34 connected with the front mounted implement, the ram piston moving to its retracted position through gravity action of the implement thereby dropping the implement onto the ground. As soon as the front mounted implement reaches the ground, or later if desired, hand lever 2 I2 is then moved toward point D on quadrant 2I5 a distance sufficient to unseat valve 232 thus permitting the liquid to drain from ram unit 38. If it is desired to gradually lower the front mounted implement, or in fact any implement actuated by a. ram unit connected in upstream relation to valve 232, such action can be readily accomplished simply by shifting lever 2I2 to a position closely adjacent point B on quadrant 2I5, that is to a position such that main valve I11 barely opens passage means I placing the ram relief passage III in communication with return passage means H6 and H3. And if in this connection it is desired to place all pumps in communication with return passage means H3 through passages H5 and yet hold the front mounted implement in its fully raised position or in a selected partially raised position, this can be readily done by shifting lever 2I2 to point B on quadrant 2 I 5 which in turn shifts the fulcrum 204 of lever I98 so as to position main control valve I11 as indicated in Fig. 15. When thus positioned, it will be noted that the enlarged portion I85 of cylindrical valve section I8I closes the transverse bore I15 to prevent placing ram relief passage III in communication with return passage means II6 and H3.

It should be obvious that in addition to the various positions of the main control valve I11 just described, this valve may also be positioned by a manual shifting of the fulcrum 204 for lever I98 so as to effect a ram expanding action by connecting the discharge sides of one or more pumps with the check valve controlled passages I03 connecting same with manifold space I62. In this connection, it may be well to note at this time that whenever hand lever 2 I 2 is within' the range AB on quadrant 2I5, one or more pumps, depending on the selected position of the lever and the position of limiting screw I95, are delivering liquid to manifold space I02, that whenever lever 2I2 is on point B all pumps are delivering to the return passages H5 and the ram relief passage III is closed by the enlarged cylindrical portion I85 of valve I8I, that whenever lever 2I2 is within the range BC on quadrant 2 I 5, all pumps are delivering liquid to the return passages H5 and the ram relief passage III is in communication with return passage H6 (the extent of such communication increasing as the lever moves from adjacent point B toward point C), that as lever 2I2 is moved from C to D, the enlarged sleeve portion I91 on stub shaft I51 carried by control rod I55 moves away from the adjacent end of valve I11 and toward the limiting position shown in Fig. 14, and that in moving from C to D lever 2I2 overrides spring pressed ball detent 265, this detent affording a force reaction on lever 2I2 definitely indicating when it reaches position H on quadrant 2I5. When lever 2 I 2 is in position H, the front mounted implement 16 will rapidly lower, but a further movement of lever 2I2 toward point D is necessary to unseat ball valve 232 and thereby effect a rapid lowering movement of the rear mounted implement, that is a rapid contraction of ram unit 38.

As previously described in connection with the lifting of the implements, it was assumed that valve 232 was adjustably biased to afford successive operation of the ram units, this adjustment being such that a pressure sufflcient to operate ram unit 38 is attained only after ram unit 34 has completed or nearly completed its power stroke. However, it may be desirable to obtain a simultaneous raising of ram units connected as shown in Fig. 16 and this can be readily done simply by adjusting biasing means 231 so that valve 229 functions merely as a one way valve which opens prior to any expanding movement of ram unit 38. When valve 232 is thus conditioned, both front and rear implements will raise simultaneously assuming that they are of equal weight, that the lift linkages transmit equal loads to the ram units, and that the ram units are identical. However, while the ram units are usually identical, the lift linkages and implement weights are often different, but such differences can be readily offset or compensated for by suitably turning plug 228 to adjust biasing spring 221. This is an important feature for the reason just stated and for the further reasons that it affords means for varying the time delay interval between the successive raising of different implements and that it enables an effective automatic unloading of the pump means in response to obtainment of a predetermined pressure in manifold space I02.

Another important feature previously described is that main control valve I11 may be selectively positioned through actuation of hand lever 2I2 to a, position wherein all ram units on the upstream side of hold-position valve 232 may be held (note Figs. 15 and 18) in a fully or partially raised position, as desired. However, this control position is rather critical with the particular main valve and the associated passage arrangement herein described. And while the axial dimensions of the main valve sections and the arrangement of the passages associated therewith could be readily varied to render such positioning of the main control valve less critical and/or to obtain overlapping control of certain passages, as desired, it is preferable in the interest of selectively obtaining either automatic draft regulation or increment adjustment of implement position to correlate the main valve and passages controlled thereby so as to either open or close the radially extending transverse bores or passages I58, Ill and I16, placing the circumferential grooves I61, I10 and I12 in communication with the interior of the valve chamber formed by liner sections I6I-I65, inclusive, and to employ the supplementing hold-position valve structure I81. This combination is of considerable importance in that it affords effective draft regulation over an extremely wide range and yet enables the operator to readily hold any implements actuated by ram units on the downstream side of valve 232 in any selected position.

Referring particularly to Figs. 16-19, inclusive, it will be noted that in Fig. 16, main valve I11 is in a lowering position corresponding to a setting of hand lever 2 I2 on point C of quadrant 2 I 5 since the enlarged sleeve portion I91 on shaft I51 carried by control'rod I55 is in engagement with the adjacent end of the main valve, this setting of the hand lever having been efiected after complete contraction of ram unit 34 and. after a partial contraction of ram unit 38. In other words, hand lever 2 I 2 may have been initially positioned at point H on quadrant 2|5 and then moved to the position shown in Fig. 19, the latter being followed by a movement of the hand lever to a position permitting valve 232 to close and thereby hold ram unit 38 in the selected partially lowered position shown in Fig. 16. As previously indicated, the position of hand lever 2l2 within the range AB determines the number of pumps delivering liquid to manifold space I02 and therefore the rate at which the ram units expand and raise the implements connected therewith. Similarly, the position of hand lever 2;l2 within the range B-C determines the extent of communication between passage means Ill and H6 and therefore the rate at which ram unit 34 is lowered.

Fig. 1'7 is similar to Fig. 16 with the exception that both ram units vare connected to the source of liquid in downstream relation to valve 232. That is, the ram units are connected for com?- munication with the passages 241! and 2M (Fig. 9), respectively, and passage 238 on the upstream side of valve 232 is blocked by .a' plug (not shown) or other suitable means. Consequently bot-h ram units are simultaneously raised, lowered or held in a selected position, as desired, simply -by positioning handlever "212' in range AB, range I-I-D, or range B-Y-H, respectively. .And it should be apparent that the position of hand lever -2i2 within range A-B determines the rate of ram unit expansion and thereby the rate at which an implement is raised relative to the ground. In addition, both implements can be lowered in increments or slowly, as desired, since the lever controlled cam actuated stem 244 for unseating valve 232 can be moved to eifect agradual unseating of this valve. 7

Fig. 18 shows ram connections identical to those appearing in Fig.-16, but;with the main valve ill in a position correspondingto a setting of hand lever 2I2 on point B of -quadrant 2I 5. In this position, all pumps are delivering liquid to the return passage means ;andthe ramdraining passage means {IS-and 115 isclosed by the enlarged cylindrical portion I85 of the main valve, this positioning of the hand lever2 l 2, main main valve l1! and ram unit 34 having been effected after first moving the hand lever to a lowering position within range B-H and then shifting it to the position shown so as to hold the ram unit in a partially contracted position.

Fig. 19 shows ram connections identical to those appearing in Figs. 16 and '18, but with the main valve in a position corresponding to asetting of hand lever 2I2 on point D of quadrant 215. In other words, this positioningof the hand lever and main valve" is for effecting a lowering movement of any .ram unit connected in downstream relation to valve 232. And the rate at which such ram-unit's are lowered and also the extent of lowering are obviously controlled by suitably posltioning th'e hand lever within the range HD on quadrant] l and the interval during which the lever is allowed to' remain in the position selected. I

It should now be obvious thatthe valves H1 and 232 are constructed and combined for coaction in a manner affording simultaneous or successive raising and loweringof-ram units con nected therewith and affording means whereby ram units may .be connected in upstream and/ or downstream relation to the valve 232, the ram 18 nit hen s ee heel ed e e ii-lith 3- t e lehl to a the r e e me erh h ereof to selectively position and hold same, asdesired, and/onto eiiect increment adjustment thereof. T i s another m o ant fea u -i t at. n e s the y t e l eeb to all types of m elem n ir e e t ve o their re at v i t and irrespective of the particular linlra ge ar rangement employed for lifting and lowering the implements. Still another important feature is he he 9 t eemshefi ei he h s carried thereby, particular reference being had t h me n e e eeti ly eeh eetih e r ts wast ren r e mev m ht e hehd le r 21 eiiective to turn camshaft 241 and thereby control the unseating of ball valve23 2. In this connech n it l e m d re en e e e h e to Pi s? 3, 8 nd 9 he ehh 4 e d 2 a be lee t r r di n a ed on y when h n r r 2 is positioned at point p on quadrant 2L5 as o nte ut previ h ri-h. th e e fi jhen le e s a he ni P e imme ht re t n n th r un ereb elim ating an possibility of injury to an operator-resulting from the dropping of an implement whensuch adjustmeet er e n m e- T e e re ht a a -describ a a s me th we ehe h w 1 2 iep leh i hoii h s a :2 '5 in; ihhe u n .1 .6 helfi e pos t o sh w Fi ceh e hen va er ehe in t e ra he he fll i j e 19H riv ted draw:

be ieehn t i,"- e h eflec what e o h eentre 'e WW b he a t ati n .e e d le r 22- .HeWerer a P e s y s ee ted the l y i hi el e e r l re ef he autom ic d eitre h et ehahd e hee te n in Orde ieehte h uch, p r n gasesihsu hed hem th l ihlew he d e i e r v o s y des rib t s ti n he d lever -2 en ihtD e qua r 215 then tu n screw element 253 -to withdraw one end thereof rom-the a gne he ee inse t ,5 theien es end of rthislelement moves into the aligned hole "251 in fixed flange 256), and then withdraw lockout'screw 222- from the threaded bore 223 in linkage-housing 2 0.6- thereby permitting shaft 2 [B to respond to .movements .of levers-2B8 and 210 effected by the action oficontrol rod I55 connected with theu-pper endc'f lever I38. Withthe parts thus positioned it"shoul'd now be apparent that camshaft 24"! associated with valve 23, reh he locked in es 'PQSi Qh ih t hd'fl ve -2 2 maybe shifted to selectiVe'IyiiOSitiOn m m valve N31,: as desired, and that draft moves 2 forward (note Fig. 1) n a direction; tending to separate the .lefthand end ofthe slot 22ilther'ein from theassociated pin 2'2Qlon ,arm 2 l tlfixed to shaft 2H5. V 1 l n it now be assumed that instead of 1ev r -2 2 being" in the lift position shown in' Fig. .1, this lever after-havingbeenshiftedto point D on quadrant i2 i5 order to;ccndition the vsys'temfor draft regulation as just described; isth'en moved to some intermediate position within therang'e B-LD; it should-be apparent that le er "its will assuriieya] generally stable position wher'ein the draft inducedfforce a a' iges the lift ffbf'rc'e pitue d :hv ihe hum el e em'e'l h t h ehdleve 2. r mzpe h D101 qua an 2.15m a positionwithinIthelQWerin ngeBD results; in a shifting of the fulcrum zeijo'r iever meintm its limiting position (see. Fig. 8), back toward cover plate" [5! thereby causing sleeve portion 19! to approach or contact the adjacentend of main valve I", this movement of hand lever 2I2 effecting a counterclockwise pivotal movement of lever I98 about the lower end thereof which is joined to cam lower 210 by a pin'and slot connection. As the implements enter the ground, draft force is transmitted to the lower end of drawbar support I through draft members 2I and 22, this draft force increasing as the tools (bedders in this case) go deeper into the ground. Consequently, lever I2 pivots against the resistance afforded by spring 25 thereby mov-- ing draft regulating link I0 forward so that the left hand end of the slot 22I thereon tends to move away from pin 220 on arm 2I8. However. since the pin 261 on arm 268 is in engagement with the lower position of lever I98 through lever 210, and the shaft 2I6 mounting arms 2I8 and 2Ii8 is now free to turn in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8, the spring I58 surrounding control rod I55, which is stronger than valve spring I88, causes lever I98 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about its fulcrum 204. Therefore, this movement of lever I98 operates to bring the enlarged sleeve portion I91 on shaft I51 into engagement with the adjacent end of valve I11 thereby moving same to the left and into an implement raising position, the extent of such movement depending on the position of fulcrum 204 as determined by the selected position of hand lever 2I2. As the implements lift due to one or more pumps delivering liquid to the ram units 34 and 38, the draft force transmitted to lever I2 decreases and as a result spring 25 will move link rearwardly thereby turning shaft 2I6 and the arm 2I8 thereon in a clockwise direction which in turn effects a similar movement of lever I98 about its fulcrum 204. And it should now be obvious that this resulting clockwise movement of lever I98 permits spring I88 to move valve IT! to an implement lowering position conforming with the decrease in draft force and the position of hand lever 2 I2.

The above described automatic draft regulation has assumed that the type and condition of the soil are substantially uniform throughout the field being worked. However, should the type and/or condition of the soil vary materially and it is desirable to maintain a uniform depth of soil penetration, a manipulation of hand lever 2I2 is necessary. For example, if the soil becomes heavier, hand lever 2I2 should be shifted'toward point D on quadrant 2I5 thus moving fulcrum 204 further toward the right as viewed in Fig. 8, whereas if the soil becomes lighter, lever 2I2 should be shifted toward point B. As previously indicated, movement of hand lever 2 I 2 past point 4 C and toward point D on quadrant 2I5 operates to merely move shaft I51 and sleeve portion I91 (attached to the upper end of lever I98) away from the adjacent end of valve I11 and toward the extreme position indicated in Fig. 14, valve I'II being prevented from following sleeve portion I 91 by engagement of its enlarged portion I85 with the inner side of cover plate I5I. Consequently, if hand lever 2 I 2 be positioned between points C-D, the draft force necessary to bring sleeve portion I91 into operative engagement with the adjacent end of valve I" is determined and varied in accordance with the selected position of this lever. This is an important feature in that it affords an effective range of draft regulation without necessitating a preloading of the spring which acts on lever I2 in opposition to the draft induced force thereon. However, if desired, spring 25 may be preloaded thereby increasing the effective range of draft regulation to include all positions-of lever 2I2 within the range B-D. I

When it is desired to dispense with draft regulation and utilize the system to lift, lower or hold one or more implements, as desired, all that has to be done is to move hand lever 2 I2 to point D on quadrant 2I5, then look shaft 2 I8 in fixed relation to linkage housing 206 by turning screw 225, and then turning screw element 253 to connect arms 248 and 250 for simultaneous movement in response to movements of the hand lever. And it should now be obvious that apparatus embodying the invention affords means for selectively obtaining automatic draft regulation or a simultaneous or successive raising or lowering of implements, for selectively varying the rate of lifting or lowering such implements, for selectively positioning and holding one or more implements, as desired, and/or for effecting increment adjustment of implement position. In addition, it should also be obvious that although the various regulations have been described with particular reference to front and rear mounted implements, the system is applicable for similarly regulating operation of any tractor propelled implement or implements, and that one or more ram units may be connected in upstream and/ or downstream relation to valve 232, as desired.

And it should therefore be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact constructions and combinations herein shown and described for purposes of illustration as various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the ar It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a ground working implement operatively connected with said tractor through a raft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement induced draft force imparted thereto, a lift mechanism operatively connected with said implement and including a powered device for varying the vertical position of the implement throughout a predetermined range of movement, a power transmitting means for controllably connecting said powered device with said source, saidpower transmitting means including a part operatively associated with said 'portion and controllably shifting position in response to movements of the latter, a lever op.-

eratively connected withsaid part ,for selective-. 1y varying the position of said part relative to saidportion, means operatively connected with said portion and rendering movements of same ineffective to control the position of said part, and additional means forcontrolling said pow ered device including an element connectable with said lever. and movable thereby to a 1 05i tion rendering said powered device effective to hold said implement in any selected position throughout its range of movement.

2. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a ground working implement operatively connected with saidtractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement induced draft force imparted thereto, a lift mechanism operatively connected with said implementandincluding a powered device for raising and lowering same, a power transmitting means for controllably connecting said powered device with said source, said power transmitting means including a part operatively associated'with said portion and con- 21' trollabl-y; shifting position re ponse to mo eme of t e; latter .a lever a ives connected with said partfor selectively varying the positionof said part relative to said portion, a first means operatively connected with said portion and positionable to render movements of said portionineffective to control the position of said part, a second means for controlling said powered device including an element connectable with said lever and movable thereby to a position rendering said powered device effective to hold said implement in any selected position. throughout its range of movement, and additional means rendering said element connectable with said lever only when the latter is in its im-' plement lowering position. M v

3. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a ground working implement operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement'induced draft .force imparted thereto, a lift mechanism operatively connected with saidimplement and including a powered device for varying the vertical position of the implement throughout a predetermined range of movement, a power transmitting means for controllably connecting said powered device with said source,'sai'd power transmitting means including a part operatively, associated with said portion and controllably shifting position in response" of, movements of the latter, a lever operatively connected with said part for selectively varying the position of said. part relative to said portion, means operatively con nected. with said portion and rendering movements of same inefiective to control the position or said part, a second means for controlling said'powered device including an element connectable with said lever and movable thereby to a position rendering said powered device effective to hold said implement. in any selected position throughout its range of movement, and additional means co-acting with said element to impart aposition indicating force reaction thereon whenever said element is positioned to hold said implement in a selected position.

4. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a ground working implement operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement induced draft force imparted thereto, a hydraulic ram unit operatively connected with said implement to vary the position of same throughout a predetermined range of movement, a source of fluid, a hydraulic pump operatively associated with said power source and communicating with said fluid source and ram unit forsupplying pressure fluid to the latter, said pump including a valve for controlling the flow of fluid between said pump and said ram'unit, said valve being operatively associated with said draft structure portion and controllably shiftingposition in response to movements of said portion, a lever operatively connected with said valve for selectively varying the position of same, a first means operatively connected With said portion and rendering movements of same ineffective to control the position of said valve, and additional means for controlling said ram unit including an element connectable with said leverand movable thereby to a position rendering said ram unit effective to i hold said implement in any selected position throughout its rangeoi movement.

5. In combination, a tractor including a power senses o a ground work ng implem nt operativ ly connected. with said tractor thushi a draf structureincluding a portion movable in response o v ri ti in implemen indu ed drait i rce imparted thereto,- a ydraulic ramunit operatively connected with said implement to raise 0.1 lower same, a source of fluid, a hydraulic. pump operatively associated with said pow r source and communicating with said fluid source and ram unit for supplying pressure fluid to the lat ter, said pump including a valve for controllin the flow of fluid between said pump and said ram unit, said valve being operatively associated with said draft structure portion and controllably shifting position in response to movements of said portion, aleve'r .operatively. connected with saidvalve and with saidportionfor automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming withwthe position of said lever, a first means .operatively connected with said portion and rendering movements of same ineffective to control the position of said valve, and additional means for controlling said ram unit including an element connectable with said lever and movable thereby to a position rendering said ram unit efiective to hold said implement in any selected position throughout its rangeof movement only after said valve means ihas been moved to its implement lowering posh ion.

6. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft force imparted thereto, ailift mechanism operatively connectedv with said implements and including a powereddevice for varying the vertical position of eachzof said implements throughout a predetermined range of movement, a power transmitting means for controllably connecting said powered. devices with said source, said power transmitting means including a part operatively associatedwith saidportion of the draft structure and controllably shifting position in response to movements of the latter, a lever operatively connected with said part and with said portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means operatively connected with said portion and rendering movements of same ineifective'to control the position of said part, and additional means controlling at least one of said powereddevices and including an element adiustabletoafford either a simultaneous or sequential movement of said powered devices.

'7. In combination, a tractor including a power source, a plurality ofground working implements said pump and said ram units, said valve being" operatively associated with said draft structure p n and controllably shifting. position in lee sponse to movements of said portiu liaflever 110D- eratively connected with said valve and with said 23 portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means operatively connected with said portion and rendering movements of same ineffective to control the position of said valve, and additional means for controlling at least one of said ram units and including an element adjustable to afford either a sequential or a simultaneous raising of said implements, as desired, in response to movement of said lever into an implement lifting position.

8. In combination, a tractor includin a power source, a plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft force imparted thereto, a lift mechanism operatively connected with said implements and including a powered device for raising and lowering same, a power transmitting means for controllably connecting said powered devices with said source, said power transmitting means including a part operatively associated with said portion of the draft structure and controllably shiftin position in response to movements of the latter, a lever operatively connected with said part and with said portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means operatively connected with said portion and rendering movements of same ineffective to control the position of said part, and an additional means for controlling at least one of said powered devices including a first element adjustable to afford either a sequential or a simultaneous raising of said implements and including a second element operably connectable with said lever and coacting with said part of said power transmitting means to effect, depending on the position of said lever, either a simultaneous or a sequential lowering of said implements.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said additional means includes structure renderin said second element connectable with said lever only when the latter is in its implement lowering position. I

10. The combination set forth in claim 8, in which said additional means includes structure coacting with said lever to impart a position indicating force reaction thereon whenever said second element is positioned to effect a sequential lowering of said implements.

11. In combination, a tractor, a ground working implement operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement induced draft force imparted thereto, power lift apparatus operatively connected with said implement and comprising, a source of fluid, a hydraulic pump receiving fluid from said source and operated by power derived from said tractor, a ram unit receiving fluid from said pump and operatively connected with said implement to raise or lower same, and comprising a valve selectively positionable to control the flow of fluid to and from said ram and shifting position in response to movement of said portion of said draft structure, a lever controllably associated with said valve and operatively connected with said draft structure portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means associated with said portion of the draft structure for selectively rendering same ineffective to shift the position of said valve, and a further control for said ram unit comprising a second valve controlling the withdrawal of fluid from said ram unit, and a valve control element operatively associated with said second valve and being connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected therewith and being operative as said lever is moved to its implement lowering position to actuate said second valve for effecting withdrawal of fluid from said ram unit only after said first mentioned valve has been moved to a position permitting fluid to flow from said ram to said source.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, in which said further control also includes a positioned indicating means for said valve control element coacting with said lever to impart a position indicating force reaction thereon whenever said first valve is in a position to permit fluid to flow from said ram to said source and said valve control element is about to move said second valve to effect withdrawal of fluid from said ram unit.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11, in which said further control comprises parts rendering said element connectable with said lever only when both said element and said lever are in a position such that both valve means are positioned to effect a lowering of the implement.

14. In combination, a tractor, a ground working implement operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to variations in implement induced draft force imparted thereto, power lift apparatus operatively connected with said implement and comprising, a source of fluid, a hydraulic pump receiving fluid from said source and operated by power derived from said tractor,

-a ram unit receiving fluid from said pump and operatively connected with said implement to vary the position of same, and comprising a first valve selectively positionable to control the flow of fluid to and from said ram unit and shifting position in response to movement of said portion of said draft structure, a lever controllably associated with said valve and operatively connected with said draft structure portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means associated with said portion of the draft structure for selectively rendering same ineffective to shift the position of said first valve, and a further control for said ram unit comprising a second valve controlling the return of fluid from said ram unit to said source, and a valve control element operatively associated with said second valve and being connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected therwith and being operative through manipulation of said lever and in conjunction with said first valve to hold said implement in any selected position.

15. In combination, a tractor, plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft force imparted thereto, a power lift means operatively associated with said implements and comprising, a source of fluid, a pump receiving fluid from said source and operated by power derived from said tractor, a plurality of ram units receiving fluid from said pump and operatively connected with said implements to raise and lower same, and comprising a valve selectively positionable to control the flow of'fiuid to and from said ram units, said valve being operatively associated with said portion of said draft structure and shifting position in response to movement ofsaid portion, a lever controllably' associated withsaid. valve and operatively connected with said draft structure portion for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with'the position of said lever,.a first means associated with said portion of the'draft structure for selectively rendering same ineffective to shift the said second valve and being connectable with said a lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element respondingto movements of said lever when connected therewith and being operative through manipulation ofsaid lever and in conjunction with said first valve to efiect, as desired, either .a simultaneous or sequential implement lowering movement of said ram units.

16. In combination, a tractor, a plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft'force imparted thereto, power lift means'operatively associated with said implements and comprising, a source of fluid, a plurality of pumping elements receiving fluid from said source and operated by .power derived from said tractor, a plurality of ram units receive ing pressure iiuid'from said pumping elements and operatively connected with saidimplement's. to vary the position of same, and comprising a valve operatively associated with said portion of said draft structure and shifting position in response to movement of said portion, said valve being selectively positionable to place the discharge side of said pumping elements in communication with said ram units or in communication with said source, as desired, and when positioned to place the discharge side of all pumping elements in communication with said source being further movable to a position wherein fluid may return to said source from said ram units, a lever controllably associated with said valve and operatively connected with said portion of the draft structure for automatically maintaining a depth of implement soil penetration conforming with the position of said lever, a first means associated with said portion of the draft structure for selectively rendering same ineifective to shaft the position of said valve, and a further control for said power lift means comprising a second valve controlling the flow'of fluid to and from one of said ram units and being adjustably biased so that fluid delivered from said pumping elements may enter all of said ram units substantially simultaneously or may enter the ram unit on. the downstream side of said second valve only after the ram unit or units on the upstream side of said second valve have about completed their power stroke and comprising a valve control element operatively associated 26 with said second valve and being, connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected, therewith and being operative to place said second valve in av position for return of fluid to said source from the ram unit or units controlled thereby only after said lever has effected said further movement of said first mentioned valve. e

17. The combination set forth in claim 16, in which power lift means includes a valve travel control part. adjustable to selectively vary the maximum number of pumping elements that can be placed in communication with said ram units by actuation of said lever.

18. In combination, a tractor, a plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft force imparted thereto, power lift means comprising a source of fluid, a pluralityof pumping elements receiving fluid from said source, a plurality of ram units opera tively connected with said implements to vary the'position of same, passage meansconnecting the discharge side of said pumping elements with said source and with said ram units, a valve operatively associated with said'portion of the draft structure and shifting position in response to inovement'thereof, said valve being positionable to place the discharge side of all of said pumping elements in communication with either said source or said ram units, as desired, and" when positioned to place the discharge side of all pumping elements in communication with said source being further movable to a position wherein fluid may return to said source from said ram units, and said valve being also positionable to place the discharge side of some pumping elements in communication with said source and the discharge side of the other pumping elements in communication with said ram units, and com prising a pressure relief means including'a fluid return passage connected with said first men' tioned passage means intermediate said valve and said ram units and including a part operativein response to attainment of a predetermined high pressure to initially open said return passage and move said valve to a pump unloading position wherein said ram units receive fluid from the discharge side of only one of said pumping elements, said part then responding to a low pressure and thereby operating to maintain said return passage open and retain said valve in its pump unloading position, a lever controllably associated with said valve and operativelycon nected with said portion of the draft structurefor automatically maintaining a depth of im-' plement soil penetration conforming with 'the position of said lever, a first means associated with said portion of the draft structure for selec* tively rendering same ineifective to'shift the position of said valve, and a further control for said power liftmeans comprising a second valve controlling the flow of fluid to and from one of said ram units and being adjustably biased, so that fluid delivered from said pumping elementsima'y enter all of said ram units substantially simul taneously or may enter said one ram unit on the,

downstream side of said second valve at a pres sure less than I said predetermined high press, sure and only after the rain unit or units on the,

upstream side of said valve have about completed their power stroke, and comprising a valve control element operatively associated with said secnd valve and being connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected therewith and being operative to place said second valve in a position for return of fluid to said source from said one ram unit only after said lever has effected said further movement of said first mentioned valve.

19. In combination with a tractor having a plurality of ground working implements operatively connected with said tractor through a draft structure including a portion movable in response to implement induced draft force imparted thereto. a power lift means comprising a source of fluid, a plurality of pumping elements receiving fluid from said source, a plurality of ram units operatively connected with said implements to vary the position of same, passage means connecting the discharge side of said pumping elements with said source and with said ram units, a flrst valve selectively positionable to place the discharge sides of all said pumping elements in communication with either said source or said ram units and also positionable to place the discharge side of some pumps in communication with said source and the discharge side of the others in communication with said ram units, and a second valve controlling the admission of fluid to one of said ram units, said second valve means including a part adjustable to vary the pressure at which fluid is admitted to said one ram unit.

20. Apparatus suitable for controllably efiecting movement of an agricultural implement comprising, a source of fluid, a plurality of pumping elements receiving fluid from said source, a plurality of ram units adapted for operative connection with an agricultural implement, passage means connecting the discharge side of said pumping elements with said source and with said ram units, a first valve selectively positionable to place the discharge sides of said pumping elements in communication with said source or in communication with said ram units, as desired, said valve when positioned to place the discharge side of all pumping elements in communication with said source being further movable to a position wherein fluid may return to said source from said ram units, a lever controllably associated with said first valve, a second valve controlling the admission and withdrawal of fluid from one of said ram units, and a. valve control element operatively associated with said second valve and connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected therewith and being operative to place said second valve in a position for return of fluid from said one ram unit only after said lever has eifected said further movement of said first mentioned valve, and said valve control element including parts rendering it connectable with said lever only when both of said valves are positioned to effect a return of fluid from said ram units to said source.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20, wherein said second valve is adjustably biased so that liquid delivered from said pumping elements may enter all ram units substantially simultaneously or may enter said one ram unit on the downstream side of said second valve only after the ram unit or units on the upstream side have completed their power strokes.

22. Apparatus suitable for use in controlling a Pressure actuated device comprising, a pump, P ge means connecting the discharge side of said pump with a fluid return passage and with an outlet adapted to deliver fluid to a pressure actuated device, a valve selectively positionable to place the discharge side of said pump in communication with said return passage or in communication with said outlet, as desired, said valve when positioned to place the discharge side of said pump in communication with said return passage being further movable to a position wherein fluid may be returned through said outlet, a second valve controlling the return of fluid through said outlet, and a lever controllably associated with both of said valves through parts rendering said lever actuable to selectively position said first mentioned valve, as aforesaid, and actuable to also position said second valve for a return flow of fluid through said outlet only after said lever has effected said further movement of said first mentioned valve.

23. Apparatus suitable for use in controlling a plurality of pressure actuated devices comprising, a source of fluid, a plurality of pumping elements receiving fluid from said source, passage means connecting the discharge side of said pumping elements with said source and with a plurality of outlets suitable for connecting pressure actuated devices therewith, a valve selectively positionable to place the discharge side of said pumping elements in communication with said source or in communication with said outlets, as desired, said valve when positioned to place the discharge sides of all pumping elements in communication with said source being further movable to a position wherein fluid may be returned through said outlets to said source, a lever controllably associated with said valve, a second valve controlling the return of fluid through one of said outlets, and a valve control element operatively associated with said second valve and connectable with said lever for actuation thereby, said valve control element responding to movements of said lever when connected therewith and being operative to place said second valve in a position for a return flow of fluid through said one outlet only after said lever has eifected said further movement of said first mentioned valve, said valve control element including parts rendering it connectable with said lever only when both of said valves are positioned to effect a return flow of fluid through said outlets.

24. The combination set forth in claim 23, wherein a control part is associated with said first mentioned valve to selectively vary the number of pumping elements that can be connected in fluid delivering relation to said outlets, and wherein said second valve is adjustably biased so that fluid delivered from said pumping elements may flow through all of said outlets substantially simultaneously or may flow through said one outlet on the downstream side of said second valve only after attaining a predetermined high pressure.

25. A hydraulic apparatus suitable for use in controlling a plurality of pressure actuated devices comprising, a source of fluid, a plurality of pumping elements receiving fluid from said source, passage means connecting the discharge side of said pumping elements with said source and with a plurality of outlets suitable for connecting pressure actuated devices therewith, a valve selectively positionable to place the discharge side of said pumping elements in communication with said source or incommunication with said outlets, as desired, said valve when positioned to place the discharge sides 01 all pumping elements in communication with said source 

